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Spanish Wine Scholar program

Harvest Time in Galicia

10 Names to Know in Galician Wine

Galicia is one of Spain’s most exciting wine regions and wine lovers are spoiled with all the options available to them. Located in Spain’s Atlantic Northwest, Galician wines are known for their freshness, with lots of crisp acidity and citrus flavors in the white wines and crunchy red fruit and floral aromas in the reds. Here are ten names to look for on your next trip to the wine shop.
84-year-old Garnacha Vines - Campo de Borja

A Journey Around Some Of Spain's Oldest Vines

Home to some of the world’s oldest productive vines – there are Albariño vines in DO Rías Baixas that have been producing grapes for over 200 years - Spain is also believed to be home to more hectares of old vines than any other country.
A View from the Vineyard, Jerez.

Adjusting aesthetic horizons from the champaigns of Jerez

This article has been published in partnership with World of Fine Wine and Wine Scholar Guild.  A shocking red wine from the Jerezano new wave. Andrew Jefford tastes 2020 Annius Atlántida Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz.
Green vineyard in Castilla y León wine region, Spain
DO Bierzo

Beyond Tempranillo: The Hidden Grapes of Castilla y León

Castilla y León is one of Spain’s most significant regions and the cradle of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabel. It boasts more than 60 of Spain’s heritage sites including over 500 castles, 12 cathedrals and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also home to Vega Sicilia, one of the world’s most iconic wine brands.

Beyond The Textbook: Galicia

Summary Welcome to this month's 'Beyond The Textbook' WSG Live! In this series we explore all the latest trends, developments and talking points in the major wine regions of France, Spain & Italy with unique insights from the best of the world's regional experts. This month we're delighted to be joined by leading Galician wine expert Noah Chichester to get us up to speed with all the latest goings-on across the region. Galicia has five unique DOs, each with

Cataluña: Exploring New Frontiers

Summary: Cataluña is one of Spain’s most historically-rich and progressive wine regions. But how well do you know the wines of Cataluña outside of Priorat or Cava? From the majestic Pyrenees mountains to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean, the 12 Catalan wine regions serve to highlight the tremendous diversity of the region.   Join Rick Fisher and Ferran Centelles as they introduce Cataluña’s wine regions and highlight what makes these
Ribera del Duero

From Obscurity to Opulence: Ribera del Duero’s Remarkable Rise in the Spanish Wine World

Over its 42-year existence as a Denominación de Origen (DO), Ribera del Duero has transformed from a relatively unknown region to one of Spain’s most prestigious wine-producing areas.

Godello in Valdeorras

Summary Often described as Galicia's 'second' great white grape, Godello is capable of crafting some extraordinarily complex, textural wines, with a great capacity for ageing. Currently this variety is enjoying a moment in the sun amidst a surge in popularity, particularly in its spiritual home of Valdeorras. But this hasn't always been the case - 50 years ago this variety was almost completely extinct. In this interview, Justin catches up with Galician expert Noah Chichester to

How legislation can help save old vine heritage: The case of Spain

Summary Spain has the largest area under vine of any country in the world, with around a third of vines planted prior to 1990, and centuries-old vines still producing fruit in many regions. But the last 30 years have seen many heritage vineyards grubbed up and replanted with higher yielding clones in areas that are easier to mechanize. This is added to the ongoing issue of rural depopulation, with elderly vine growers often retiring

Modern Rioja: Evolution, Emerging Trends and the 2024 Vintage

Summary The best wine regions never stand still, and Rioja is such an interesting clash of old meets new. Join us for this fascinating webinar from one of the world’s leading experts in the region, to understand how it’s positioned itself at the forefront of change and get to grips with the evolving landscape of modern,
Sherry

Rediscovering Sherry – A Look into the Past and Present

Many wine regions in Europe like to reference their long history, typically dating the arrival of the first vineyards back to the time of the Roman legions. Viticulture in Jerez may well have an even longer history than that; it’s entirely possible that the first vines in the region were planted by the Phoenicians around the time they established the nearby port city of Cadiz in 1,110BC.
Ribeira Sacra

Ribeira Sacra— A Historic Region with Modern Problems

Nearly 30 years after gaining Denominación de Origen status, Galicia's most “heroic” wine region is facing some familiar challenges.

Ribeira Sacra: Heroic Viticulture from the Slopes of Galicia

Summary: Steep slopes and vertigo-inducing vineyards make Ribeira Sacra one of Spain's most stunning wine regions. With terraced vineyards that rival the Mosel or Douro, the region is known for its floral, austere expressions of Mencía. We'll take a deep dive into Ribeira Sacra's history and culture, and learn about why this region is producing some of the most exciting wines in Spain today. Following the presentation, a question & answer session will take place,

Tasting Room: Albariño Past the Stereotypes

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary In this tasting video, Justin explores the incredibly versatile world of Albariño. Quite probably Spain's greatest white grape, the way that Albariño described is often shoehorned into a narrow and limited style that really feels increasingly clichéd. Here

Tasting Room: Icons of Galicia

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary Justin tastes one of the iconic producers in the Producer Guide, this time choosing Adega Algueira's Dolio 2019 from Ribeira Sacra. Learn why it's considered a modern classic, and the inspirational role Fernando González has played

The Value of Wine Education and the Rise of Online Learning for French, Italian and Spanish Wines

In a world where wine has evolved from a drink to a culture, understanding what’s in your glass goes beyond mere taste—it’s about appreciating the stories, landscapes and craftsmanship behind each label.
Wines of Galicia

The Wines of Galicia: Exploring Green Spain from Albariño to Zamarrica

Summary Located in northwest Spain, right above Portugal, Galicia has its own unique culture, language, and a winemaking tradition going back millennia. From favorites like Albariño to grapes that may not be so familiar, we'll explore Galicia's hidden corners and even learn some gallego along the way. In this comprehensive overview of Galician wine, participants will explore the region's history, geography, culture, and of course, wine. Following the presentation, a

Top Five Galician Grapes: Unique Varieties from Northwestern Spain

Galicia is magical for many reasons. Its rolling green hills and foggy river valleys make it more like its Celtic cousins Ireland and Scotland than Spain, and you’re more likely to hear bagpipes than flamenco guitar. Instead of packing sunscreen, you’d be wise to bring an umbrella. And then there’s the wine. From Albariño to Zamarrica, Galicia is home to some truly exciting grape varieties.

Unveiling Sherry: A Sneak Peek with Peter Liem

Watch the recording of this event on our community pages here Description